Norway confirms Bluetongue disease outbreak in sheep, says WOAH

World Organisation for Animal Health said that the outbreak is the first since 2010 in Norway

Norway has reported an outbreak of bluetongue disease on a sheep farm in the southern part of the country, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) said on Friday.

Bluetongue can be deadly for domestic ruminants such as sheep, cattle and goats. A new variant of the disease has been circulating in northern Europe since late last year, leading to vaccination campaigns in affected countries like France.

The outbreak in Norway was the country's first since 2010, though the strain of the virus was not yet identified, WOAH said in a note, citing information from the Norwegian authorities.

"Two affected sheep were killed for animal welfare reasons before disease confirmation. Samples were taken on those two animals and sent to be analysed to the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, who confirmed the disease," WOAH said in the note.

The sick animals were part of a flock of 56 sheep, it said.

UK vaccines

Few days ago UK announced a vaccine against the bluetooth virus in sheep and cattle. 

Three vaccines, still pending full authorisation, have been granted special permission for licensed use in the UK.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) called the emergency approval "great news," but cautioned that the vaccines address only the virus's symptoms and do not prevent infection.